Iron deficiency anemia clinical manifestations

Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Iron deficiency anemia presents in a variety of ways, including symptoms of anemia and iron deficiency. The main manifestation is tissue and organ hypoxia caused by iron deficiency, and severe iron deficiency anemia can lead to mucosal tissue changes and ectoderm nutritional disorders. Among the symptoms, we can find that in the early stages, the symptoms are relatively concealed and hard to detect. Patients with a slow progression can often adapt well in the early stages and are able to engage in daily work. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headache, fatigue, and tiredness, along with palpitations and shortness of breath after activity, and even symptoms such as blurred vision and tinnitus. For patients with iron deficiency, specific symptoms include angular cheilitis, atrophy of the tongue papillae, glossitis, and severe iron deficiency patients may experience koilonychia, decreased appetite, nausea, and even constipation. Some patients, particularly children during their growth periods, may exhibit delayed growth and behavioral abnormalities, specifically being irritable and easily angered, having difficulty concentrating in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may also develop pica, which is a special manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. In terms of physical signs, patients may exhibit pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, dry hair, and keratinization of the lips. Nails may be flat, lackluster, and prone to breakage, and a small number of patients may experience mild splenomegaly. These are the clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What indicators are used to diagnose iron deficiency anemia?

For iron deficiency anemia, a complete blood count should first be considered. The blood count presenting as microcytic hypochromic anemia often suggests the possibility of iron deficiency anemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin, a decrease in mean corpuscular volume, a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin. When the complete blood count indicates the possibility of iron deficiency anemia, further investigation into iron-related indices is required, such as decreased serum iron, decreased ferritin, decreased transferrin saturation, and increased soluble transferrin receptor capacity.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The treatment principles for iron deficiency anemia mainly involve two aspects. One is to identify the cause of the iron deficiency anemia. Once the cause is confirmed, fundamental treatment of the cause should be conducted to restore the body's normal iron stores. The second aspect is iron supplementation, which is recommended to be administered orally. The daily supplemental iron dose is approximately 150 to 200 milligrams, typically using ferrous preparations such as ferrous succinate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, and iron dextran. It is suggested that iron supplements be taken with meals or after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation caused by the medication. Additionally, it is advised to avoid consuming tea, coffee, and other substances that could interfere with iron absorption during the treatment period.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Consequences of untreated iron deficiency anemia

Any anemia, if not treated, will only get worse over time, including iron-deficiency anemia. Prolonged anemia can impact various organ systems throughout the body. In the nervous system, it can cause headaches, dizziness, insomnia, frequent dreams, and memory decline. In children, iron-deficiency anemia can even affect intellectual development. In the respiratory system, it can lead to deeper and faster breathing, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. In the circulatory system, it can manifest as low blood volume, and long-term severe anemia can lead to anemic heart disease, causing arrhythmias and heart failure. In the digestive system, it can manifest as reduced appetite, and in severe cases, it can cause constipation, diarrhea, etc.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Can people with iron deficiency anemia drink tea?

The first aspect of treating patients with iron deficiency anemia is etiological treatment. It is necessary to remove the causes of iron deficiency as much as possible. While simple iron supplementation can restore blood indices, if the primary disease is not actively treated, it cannot fundamentally solve anemia. If left untreated, anemia in patients is prone to recurrence. Secondly, iron supplementation is the clinical priority, with oral iron supplements being the most commonly used treatment. Ferrous preparations such as ferrous succinate and ferrous fumarate are most often used. These medications are generally taken with meals or after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. This raises the issue of whether patients with iron deficiency anemia can drink tea. When iron supplements are taken with tea, they can bind with the tannins in the tea to form an insoluble precipitate that is difficult to absorb. Thus, it is clinically advised that patients with iron deficiency anemia should avoid drinking tea, as it can reduce the absorption of iron and thus result in suboptimal treatment outcomes.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
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What is good to eat for iron deficiency anemia?

The treatment of iron deficiency anemia mainly includes two aspects. One is the treatment targeted at correcting anemia caused by iron deficiency, and the other is identifying the cause of iron deficiency in the body and correcting it. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by chronic blood loss and a relative deficiency in iron intake due to increased iron demand in the body, which leads to reduced red blood cell production. The main treatment is to supplement with iron-rich medications, and one can also consume more lean meat, pork liver, duck blood, spinach, black fungus, and other foods rich in iron. For patients with iron deficiency anemia, it is crucial to identify the cause of the iron deficiency and provide targeted treatment to fundamentally resolve the issue of iron deficiency anemia.